Objective: To investigate the role of soluble syndecan-1 in the pathogenesis of human multiple myeloma (MM).
Methods: Serum level of soluble syndecan-1 of patients with MM and plasma cell leukemia was determined by ELISA.
Results: (1) The median serum soluble syndecan-1 concentrations of MM patients and controls were 111 ng/ml (41 - 6,300 mg/L) and 63 mg/L (10 - 163 mg/L), respectively (P < 0.005). (2) For 47 myeloma patients, increased serum syndecan-1 concentrations at diagnosis were associated with a poor prognosis. Patients with serum syndecan-1 levels below or above 166 mg/L had significantly different survival times (median > 48 months or < 18 months, respectively, P < 0.0001). (3) Serum soluble syndecan-1 levels were correlated with beta-2 microglobulin concentrations and the percentage of plasma cell.
Conclusion: Serum levels of circulating soluble syndecan-1 correlated with tumor mass and may exert pleiotropic effects on myeloma cell behavior.